81st Street and Ridge Boulevard Website: www.smaoc.org
Brooklyn, NY 11209 Church Office: (718) 238-8008
Email: churchsecretary@smaoc.org Rectory: (718) 745-8481
His Eminence Metropolitan SABA
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America
Very Rev. Fr. Michael Ellias, Pastor Rev. Deacon Farid Farkouh
Email: pastor@smaoc.org farkouhfarid@gmail.com
Sunday, June 15, 2025
First Sunday after Pentecost and Sunday of All Saints
Tone 8 and Eothinon 1
Prophet Amos
Today’s Hymns and Readings
Apolytikion of the Resurrection – Tone 8
O Compassionate One, thou didst descend from the heights; thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that thou mightest deliver us from passion. Thou art our Life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to thee.
Apolytikion of All Saints – Tone 4
Thy Church, O Christ God, hath regaled herself in the blood of thy Martyrs, throughout all the world, as in porphyry and purple. Through them she lifteth her voice, crying, Turn with thy compassion to thy people, and grant peace to thy city, and to our souls the Great Mercy.
Apolytikion of the Nativity of the Theotokos – Tone 4
Thy nativity, O Theotokos, hath proclaimed joy to the whole universe. For from thee did shine forth the Sun of justice, Christ our God, annulling the curse, and bestowing the blessing, abolishing death and granting us life everlasting.
Kontakion of the Saints – Tone 8
To thee, O Lord and Author of all creation, the universe offereth as first-fruits of nature the divinity-bearing Martyrs. Wherefore, by their implorings preserve thou thy Church in perfect safety, for the sake of the Theotokos, O most Merciful One.
Epistle – Hebrews 11:33-40; 12:1-2 (First Sunday and the Sunday of All Saints)
Prokeimenon. Psalm 67.35, 26. God is wonderful among his saints.
Verse. Bless God in the congregations.
BRETHREN, all the saints through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated – of whom the world was not worthy – wandering over deserts and mountains and in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfection of our faith.
Gospel – Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38; 19:27-30 (Sunday of All Saints)
THE LORD SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES, “Every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
“He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”
Then Peter said in reply, “Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundred-fold, and inherit eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first.”
Next week’s homework: Romans 2:10-16 (Second Sunday after Pentecost)
Matthew 4:18-23 (Second Sunday after Pentecost)
FASTING DISCIPLINE – Tomorrow we enter the Fast of the Apostles. We abstain from meat, dairy and eggs unto the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul on Sunday, June 29.
PLEASE MAKE SURE all cell phones and electronic devices are turned off in church or at home.
June 15, 2025 – FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST AND SUNDAY OF ALL SAINTS
We are pleased to welcome you to worship with us today. Please note that only Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves with prayer, fasting and a recent confession may approach to receive Holy Communion. Everyone is welcome to receive the blessing and partake of the blessed bread at the dismissal. Please introduce yourself to our pastor during the coffee hour and ask him about membership in the Orthodox Church.
Mission Statement - The mission of St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church of Brooklyn, NY, is to love and worship God through participation in the liturgical life of the Church, and to live and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We carry out this mission through education, outreach, fellowship, and works of mercy with love for each other, our neighbors, and our diverse world.
TODAY, JUNE 15 – We pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Edward Ateyeh, Jr., Alice, Edward and Wadiha Baloutine, Michael Haje, John M. Kitchen, Joseph Mashamesh, Rose and George Samman, Olga and Albert G. Wardi.
Dianna Russo Kitchen offers Prayers of Oblation and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of her husband, the servant of God John Kitchen. Memory eternal!
Diane Zamaria offers Prayers of Oblation, the Holy Bread, and a 2-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of her husband, the servant of God Dr. Samir Zamaria. A Coffee Hour in his memory will follow the Divine Liturgy. Memory eternal!
NEXT SUNDAY, JUNE 22 – We will pray for the repose of the souls of the servants of God Linda Abdallah, Mabel Bitar, Nancy Davis, Florence Lewis Dibbs, Claudette Hadad, Margarete Haddad, Mary and Philip Hanna, Gloria Jabara, Lorraine Lewis, Lydia Lewis, Marie Sayegh, Margaret Soued, and Adeeba Tweel. Memory eternal!
Paula Arnuk and Family will offer Prayers of Oblation, the Holy Bread, and a One-Year Memorial for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Dr. Issam Arnuk. Memory eternal!
FOR THE INFIRM - Please remember our ailing brethren in your daily intercessions, especially, Terry Mackoul (HSS), John Petrick (Norwegian), Joyce Samaha (Sunrise, Mountain Lakes), Alice Farkouh, Robert Ghiz, Renee Setteducato, Rouda Abboud, Isla Albishara, Yvonne Allawh, Diana Finger, George Khoury, Denise McBride, and Alfred Nahas (at home).
POST-COMMUNION PRAYERS – At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a reader will read the Post-Communion Prayers of Thanksgiving. Please reverently hear these prayers while exiting.
ADULT EDUCATION – We will conclude our study of the Book of Acts on Wednesday at 7 PM. This week we will consider chapters 21-28. In addition, there will be a class for catechumens and inquirers at the same time. The Zoom link for the Bible Study is https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81008521083?pwd=QUEyZm8wdmc4aUxTdTdOMzVPN2lRUT09.
A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
DONATION OPPORTUNITY – Steven Petrick has offered the next order of wine for Holy Communion in memory of the servants of God Viola and Albert Mesnooh. Memory eternal!
COFFEE HOUR COURTESY – We gently remind parents to keep an eye on their children during the Coffee Hour. We have to keep in mind that running children could bump into some of our senior members. We want the children to be able to blow off steam, but safely.
DID YOU KNOW? It costs $7,178 every week to operate our parish. That number does not include capital expenses like the roof replacement.
ROOF APPEAL – The Parish Council has mailed an appeal for the replacement of the church roof. If all of our 300 households contributed approximately $400 each, we would cover the cost. Let’s prayerfully consider our response to this necessary project. We acknowledge donations from Rose Abdallah, Sonia and Henry Abounaoum, Anita Absey, Nicole and Jeff Anderson, Angela and Christopher Athineos, Sandra Arida, Joan Bacon, Patricia Ballan, John J. DeLuca Foundation, Nicholas El-Khoury, Father Michael and Laila Ellias, Anita and John Eyd, Deacon Farid and Aline Farkouh, Alice and David Furer, Josette and John Generale, Giorgi Guguberidze, James Harris, Krassimira Invanchev, Joyce Katen, George Khoury, Edward Mackoul, Rafik Mahab, Corinne and Michael Mallia, Linda Mantia, Daria and Thomas Mayrose, Denise McBride, George Moore, Susan and Gordon Nelson, Karen and Robert Rich, Marian Russo, Audrey and Charles Sahadi, Louise Sahadi, Robert Sahadi, Linda and George Salamy, Catherine and Raymond Saleeby, Sam Salhany, Caroline and Peter Schneirla, Barbara and Dennis Shawah, Karen and Anthony Tadross, Irene Tashji, George Trisciuzzi, Gale Zarr, and Karen Zraick.
OCMC – Our June pledge envelopes included a yellow envelope for OCMC (Orthodox Christian Mission Center). Please be as generous as possible in support of Orthodox missions and missionaries throughout the world.
GOLF OUTING – Mark your calendars for this year’s St. Mary’s Church Saints and Sinners Golf and Tennis Outing on Monday, September 8, the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos! This year we will be in a new location, the beautiful Richmond County Golf and Country Club on Staten Island, so it will be easier for Brooklynites to attend. Details about honorees and reservations will follow soon.
ESTATE PLANNING – Summer begins this week. Let me cultivate the garden of the future by adding something in my estate plan for the church.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, June 18 Bible Study and Catechism Class, 7 PM
Saturday, June 21 Hall Rental
Sunday, June 22 PTO-sponsored Career Day
Sara Tannous Baptism, 3 PM
June 25-29 Parish Life Conference @ Antiochian Village
All services will be live streamed via twitch.tv/smaoc.
FROM THE FATHERS – “God the Holy Spirit has many abodes in this vast universe, but a pure heart is the place in which He most delights to dwell. This is His true abode; all others are only His workshop.”
- St. Nicholai of Zica